Seattle Publishing Journal
November 2009

As we sprint towards the end of the year and the holidays are just around the corner, it must mean it's November. In this issue we share Tacoma Screw's next generation website and a new font that helps reduce waste. May you enjoy this issue and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanks for reading.

Cheers,
The SP Crew

FEATURED PROJECT

TacomaScrew.com Goes Live!

This month we launched Tacoma Screw Products' next generation website. The new website is based on a combination of FileMaker, mySQL, and Ruby on Rails platform, which has fast download speeds and delivers Tacoma Screw's products in an easy to view format. One popular online feature is the ability for users to select products and then save them in a shopping list that is sent directly to Tacoma Screw for a sales follow-up. Additional online features include a branch locator with maps and directions, online job postings and application.

THE ART OF PUBLISHING

Future Trends Affecting Paper

Mills will try to raise prices while continuing to limit production.
Paper manufacturers have been temporarily shutting down plants to limit production. Currently, this hasn't stopped a decline in prices due to less demand. Though it may have an significant impact when demand rises.

Tax credits for the paper industry are running out.
A by-product of the manufacturing process called "Black Liquor" can be mixed with diesel fuel. This allows many paper companies to qualify for the Alternative Fuel Tax Credit. The industry has been able to offset slower demand with this credit, though it will end at the end of this year.

Paper industry is becoming sales driven.
In the past, paper manufacturers' views were "we will make what we do best and let them buy it." With the decline in demand, their view is shifting and alternative papers are becoming available, offering more value for the price.

Environmentally-friendly papers will continue to grow.
As demand increases for post-consumer recycled content, paper manufacturers are offering more grades with 10, 20, and 30%. Another green trend is the use of third party sustainable certification such as the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), which certifies that the trees and pulp come from sustainable and well-managed forests.

TIPS & TRICKS

Appealing ideas are often simple: how much of a letter can be removed while maintaining readability? Created by the Dutch design firm, SPRANQ Creative Communications, Ecofont is free and reduces ink consumption by 20%. By experimenting with all kinds of shapes, they discovered the best results were achieved using small circles. Ecofont works best with a laser printer and can be used with OpenOffice, AppleWorks and MS Office 2007.

DID YOU KNOW...

History of Paper

The word paper derives from the Greek term for the ancient Egyptian writing material called papyrus which was formed from beaten strips of the papyrus plant. Modern paper is believed to have originated in China in the 2nd century AD. The use of paper spread from China through the Middle East, where the first paper mills were constructed, and entered production in Europe in the early 12th century. Mechanized production of paper in the early 19th century allowed for relatively cheap exchange of information in the form of letters, newspapers and books for the first time, which created the first means of mass communication.

WORDS TO PONDER

Only on paper has humanity yet achieved glory, beauty, truth, knowledge, virtue, and abiding love. -George Bernard Shaw

 

The Gutenberg Publishing System's® namesake, Johannes Gutenberg, defined modern publishing when he blended 1400’s ink, type and mechanical technology to invent the moveable type press. With the same drive towards efficiency, Seattle Publishing’s database-driven system helps organizations manage their information and streamline the production process for print- and web-based publications.

Seattle Publishing, Inc. is a 36-year old company that blends current technology with time-tested publishing techniques. The company is a recognized leader in database-driven publishing and is constantly working to be the standard by which all competitors are compared.

Press Contact

Amber Zapffel
Seattle Publishing
206-903-1333
amber@seattlepub.com